Proof-sheet carrier for billing-machines.



H A. FOOIHORAP.

PROOF SHEET CARRIER FOR BILLING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4. I912.

Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I I 1 l I I I I l I I I I I I I I r I l l l I l l I I l l I I 1 l l I l I I I l LI I IIIIllIIII H. A. FOOTHURAP.

PROOF SHEET CARRlER FOR BILLING MACHiNES.

APPLiCAYION HLEU NOV. 4, IQEZ.

7 INVENTOR fi/affiar Patontml MM. 26, 1916 4 SHEETS SHEET 2.

llorney H. A. FOOTHORAP.

PROOF SHEET CARRIER FOR BILLING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED N"V- 4, I912.

lznontodSupt. 26, 1916.

4 SHEETS SHEET 3.

[N VEN T OR Allomey WITNESSES WQZFZaZ/rfirap. X? W H. A. FOOTHORAP.

PROOF SHEET CARRIER FOR BILLlNG MACHINES.

APPUCATION ,ILEL'F NOV. 4, Hi2

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY A. FOOTHORAP, 0F HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO ELLIOTT- FISHER. COMPANY, OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE.

To all whom it may concern Be -it known that I, HARRY ARTHUR FOOTIIORAP, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Harrisburg, in the county of Dauphin and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Proof-Sheet Carriers for rBilling-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to typewriting machines of that type characterized by a flat platen over the writing surface of which the machine proper, including the printing mechanism, travels for letter and line spacing. I

The object of the invention is to provide a novel platen equipment designed to facilitate certain classes of billing which include the use of what is known as a proof sheet and recap of ledger postings.

Considered more specifically, the object is to equip the platen with a novel combination of work holding or retaining elements including a sliding proof sheet holder movable lengthwise of the platen and having its movement under the control of mechanism which is carried by the traveling machine and so organized that the feed of the proof sheet will result in the production thereon of a condensed record of various entries which appear in-inore or less separated re lation on the statement and ledger sheets.

Subordinate to these general objects are others which will hereinafter appear as the succeeding description is developed.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one embodiment of the invention is clearly illustrated :Figure 1 is a plan view of the platen of what is known as an Ell ott- Fisher billing machine equipped in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an en larged sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is still another en larged section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is another view of this character on the line i-+5 of Fig. I. Fig. (3 is a front ele vation of the structure broken out and contracted and with some of the parts shown in section. Fig. 7 is a front elevation-of the proof sheet controlling mechanism. Fig. 8 is a side elevation tll (l'00f. Fig. 9 is a simi 'lar view with the proof feed key partiall depressed to release the locking dog.and to PROOF-SHEET CARRIER FOR BILLING-MACHINES.

Specification 0t Lettcrs Patent. Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

Application filed November 4, 1912.

Serial No. 729,382.

throw in the feeding pawl. Fig. 10 is still another view of this character'with the proof feed key further depressed, the feeding pawl nearing the limit ofjits stroke and the locking dog released from the-releasing arm but not fully returned to its locking position. Fig. 11 is still another view of this character with the proof feed key fully depressed, the feeding pawl at the limit of .its stroke and the locking dog returned to its locking position. Fig. 12 is another elevation showing the proof release key moved back to release the locking dog from the 1 wheel to permit free movement of the proof carrier and machine independently of each other. 1 1g. 13 is an enlarged view of the idler for carrying the proof sheet carrier band. a p

In the drawings 1 indicates the'fiat platen of what is known asthe Elliott-Fisher billing machine equipped as usual with tracks or guides 2 extended along its opposite edges, each track including a front section 3 hinged at its rear end, as indicated at 4, to a fixed section The swingingtrack sections 3 have their front ends connected by a transverse bar 6 which, with said swinging sections, constitutes a vertically swinging machine supporting and work holding frame. At the extreme rear end' of the platen is another transverse bar 7 having its ends received within slots 8 in two rear brackets 9 and drawn rearwardly by tension springs 10 which serve to hold taut the work.

holding and guarding tape 11 extended longitudinally of the platen, as shown in Fig.

l. The tape has its ends secured'to clips 12.

carried by the bars 6 and 7' and slidable longitudinally of said bars to adjust the tape 11 transversely.

The two rear brackets 9 are rigidly secured to the opposite. sides of the platen,

at the ear end thereof. and are provided with open bearings 13 for the reception of the reduced ends of the spindle ll of the rear carbon roll 15. The carbon roll 15 is of any desired length. being in the present instance. of sullicieut length to accommodate a carbon web 16 about half as wide as the platen, and extended longitudinally thereover from the rear carbon roll 15 to the front carbon roll 17, the spindle 18 of the latter having its reduced ends received in open bearings 19 in a pair of front brackets 20 secured to the platen at the opposite sides of its front end. The spindies 1i and 18 are retained in bearings 13 and 19 by latches 21. of usual construction and the right hand ends of these spindles are equipped with thumb wheels whereby the carbon rolls may be rotated and the carbon web 16 fed forward or back.

The platen 1 is provided with a hard rubber or other suitable writing surface 23 co-extensive with the writing field and beyond this writing surface extends a surface plate 24 designed to lend finish to the rear end portion. of the platen which is usually termed the machine support located in rear of the writing surface. Imposed upon the writing surface 23, adjacent to and parallel with the left hand track 3, is a work holder 25 in the form of a metal band provided with a series of studs 26. The studs .26 are designed to engage apertures extending along the margins of work elements or sheets, as .for instance, a ledger sheet a. and a statement 7), the invention being here shown in connection with what is known as statement and ledger posting, though it will be obvious that this platen equipment is capable of eflicient use 'in connection with the production of various bookkeeping and accounting records.

Along the right hand edge of the platen and parallel with the right hand rail extends a proof sheet'carrier 27 with which my present invention is more intimately concerned. This carrier 27 is in the form of what is, in effect, an endless band, preferably a metal tape, equipped with a series of work engaging studs 28 and having its ends connected by a spiral spring 29 located below the platen, as shown in Fig. 4, and acting as a tension device for the band to hold the latter taut while preventing binding of the band at! the turns when the carrier is shifted in the manner hereinafter explained.

At the front end-of the platen the band of the carrier 27 is passed around an idler 30 carried by a transverse Shaft 31 journalcd in the front brackets 20 and provided with collars 32 upon which rest the front portion of a horizontal extension plate 33 secured to the front end of the platen, as shown in Fig. 3, and extended over the shaft 31 and under the front carbon roll. The

' rear turn of the proof sheet carrier band 27 is led around an idler 34 mounted on a stub shaft 35 screwed into the inner side face of the right hand rear bearing bracket 9. The studs 28 of the proof sheet carrier engage marginal holes in what is known as the proof sheet 0 which underlies the carbon web 18 and is designed to receive a condensed record of a portion of the data printed on the ledger sheet, as, for instance, the total debit and credit postings. It is,

of course, understood that the transfer from the statement sheet I) to the ledger sheet a. is effected by a loose carbon (Z and that the transfer from the statement to the proof sheet is effected by the carbon web 16. It has been stated that the proof sheet 0 is designed to receive a condensed record of certain entries printed on the ledger sheet. By this it is meant that the entries on the proof sheet are consecutively spaced notwithstanding the fact that the corresponding entries on the ledger sheet may be irregularly spaced and widely separated. To accomplish this result without extended manipulation of the proof sheet, I have devised special mechanism for controlling the proof carrier in an manner to secure the desired result with speed and certainty.

The Elliott-Fisher machine, as already stated, includes, in addition to the platen and its equipment, a traveling typewriting machine embracing a main frame, which moves longitudinally of theplaten on the tracks or guides, and'a transversely movable carriage which supports the printing mechanism and travels on the main frame in the direction of letter spacing. This machine is too well known to require a specific description. see Patent No. 573,868

to R. J. Fisher, but for the purpose of the present disclosure, a fragment of the front portion of the main frame is shown at 36 in Figs. 7 to 12. Across the front of the main frame 36 extends what is known as the line space shaft 37'. provided with toothed wheels 38 which engage the toothed tracks or guides 2 and 3 to effect a line space movement of the frame upon the partial rotation of the shaft 37. This rotation of the shaft 37 is effected by line spacing mechanism of known construction (see Patent #703,961) embracing what is known as a line space actuator 39 which has a variable oscillation to effect a variable rotation of the line space shaft 37 for the purpose of advancing the machine the distance of one line space of predetermined width. Associated with this line spacing mechanism of.

the machine is the controlling and line spacing mechanism of the proof carrier, de signed to effect proper movement of said carrier relative to the traycling machine and platen. to line space the condensed proof record before referred to.

Loosely mounted on the shaft 37 in line with the proof sheet carrier 27 is the proof line spacing wheel 40 having peripheral openings designed to receive the studs 28 of the proof carrier, as shown in Fig. 7. To the wheel {10 is fixed, at one side thereof, a toothed wheel 41 designed to be engaged by a driving pawl 42 carried by a proof feed lever 43 fulcruined on the shaft 37 and provided with a proof feed key 44. The driving pawl 42 is normally out of l; in not transferred to the proof c it. s designed that the proof sheet merely advance ith the machine relat; Hi the platen without any movement the proof sheet and printing mechanism ire to ea h other, at least longitudinall} 3:? of the platen. This advance of the proof htt id: the machine is effected by the gagement ot' the wheel l0 with the studs the locking of the wheel r tation during such movement. int-pose, the toothed wheel 40 is norigaged by a locking dog 46 pivaiunted on a plate 47 carried by t it? and notched at its rear end for 51" titPflUil of a fixed lug l3 projecting vie frame 36 of the machine and i i to hold the plate against axial ni' cnietit on the shaft, The locking dog i i prt'n'idcd adjacent to its active end with 1 1; a pin 41'? which projects laterally into the of a tat-leasing arm pivotally mounti as ii":(li(;ttt?ll at .31, on the lever 43. The

ing arm .30 is normally urged downly hy a spring and, between a screw the releasing arm and the pin 49, exsccond spring 54 which tends con- ;o draw the locking dog 46 into lockeiuent with the wheel 41 and iii-- into engagement with the rear arm l, the latter having a prowhich extends over the pin 49 to ie ihnvnward movement of the arm 1' the impulse of the sprin "3 therefore the parts are positioned,

; Fig. 8. and when the line spactfl and 41 of the proof sheet feedvflhanism remain ticked agaipst ros'v movement and hence, by their engagei with the proof sheet carrier, advance :r over the platen as the machine is printing of those entries ,e proof sheet is not concerned h i that an entry. as, redit is posted the proof sheet.

the next en- 1 I a I d ring the entry of that portion of the oi" the proof sheet carrier but obviously misni of the machine is operated rectly over the entry just made. To avoid this the operator. after making an entry on the proof sheet, depresses the proof feed key H whereupon the movement of the lever 43 about the shaft 37 will move the releasing arm 50 rearwardly, thus causing the latter to move the locking dog to out of engagement with the wheel 41. The driving pawl 12 will simultaneously advance toward its driving position of the parts after this initial movement of the. proof feed key it is shown in Fig. 9. Continued depression of the key 44 will now cause the pawl 42 to rotate the wheels 41 and 40 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 9 which, by reason of the engagement of the wheel 40 with the studs of the proof carrier, will move the latter rearwardly the distance of one line space relative to the printing point of the machine which will now be located opposite the unprinted line space, directly below the last entry on the proof sheet. During this line space feed of the proof sheet, a tripping pin 56 on the lever 43 will have engaged the under side of the releasing arm 50 and urged the latter upwardly against the resistance of the spring 52 so that an instant before the full line space feed of the proof sheet has been completed, the releasing arm 50 will have been raised above the pin 49 thus releasing the locking dog it) and permitting the latter to snap back against the crown of a tooth of the wheel 41 so that upon the presentation of the next inter-dental space of said wheel to the dog, the latter will move into locking engagement with the wheel, thus limiting the line space movement with certainty and precision and effectually locking the wheels and proof sheet carrier to hold the same against movement relative to the printing mechanism, as the latter again advances for the entry of those entries not transferred to the proof sheet. It is obvious that as the proof sheet moves with the machine and maintains a definite relation thereto, the next entry transferred to the proof sheet will appear immediately under the entry last preceding regardless of the spacing between the corresponding entrieson the le ger sheet. The movement of the proof feed xkey lever 43 is positively limited by a stop pin 57 extending from the plate 31 and engaging a slot 58 in the latter.

it is sometimes desirable to release the proof sheet carrier from the machine to permit its free movement independently of both the platen and the machine in orderto facili tate the replacement or adjustment of the proof sheet and to permit the free movement of the machine, as. for instance, to the rear of the platen, without disturbing the rela tion between the proof sheet and the other work elements. To attain this end, it is merely necessary to release the locking dog it) from the wheel l1 thus permitting the \\lnil ll and ill to rotate freely as the proof sheet carrier is moved forward or back while the machine and platen remain in fixed rela-- tion. or as the machine is moved back while the carrier remains stationary. To effect such release of the dog to l have provided what may be termed a proof release key 59 mounted at the upper end of a proof release lever tltl fulcrumed on the shaft 37 and having at its rear end. a releasing cam til disposed in cot'iperative relation with the pin l9. projecting from the locking dog lb. 'hen it is desired to release the proof carrier. it is merely necessary to push back the proof release key 59 thus sv. inging the lever tit) and causing the cam ill. by engagement with the pin il to swing the locking dog to out of the wheel 41 and bringing the rear face of the lever (it) into engagement with the pin 43 on the pawl 42 to prevent the lat ter from interfering with the free rotation of said wheel ll. As long as the key .31) i. retained in this rearward position. the proof sheet carrier can be shifted at will independently. both of the machine and platen since the wheel to or the machine may be moved relative to the proof sheet and platen with which the carrier is engaged may rotate freely on the shaft 3? during such shifting movement of either the carrier or the machine. The movement of the lc\er tit is limited by a stop pin 6:! projecting from the plate l7 and engaging a slot (13 in the lever. The levers l3 and 1 0 are provided with a retracting spring t'il secured at its opposite ends to said levers. as shown in Fig. 8, nd yieldinglv opposing the movement of each lever from its normal position. To insure the retention of the proof sheet on the studs of its carrier. a narrow flange or tin 3 is extended over th right hand margins of the proof sheet and carrier from the right hand track or guide. Front and rear guide rolls lt'v" and to" are provided as usual for the carbon web.

It will be seen from what has been said that the line spacing of the machine relative to the ledger sheet, during the printing of certain items on the latter, effects no line spacing of the proof sheet since the latter, during the normal or machine line spacing operation. remains relatively lived with respect to the printing mechanism. It will also be seen that in addition to the normal line spacing mechanism 3! the structure embodies a second line spacing mechanism which elfects line spacing of the proof sheet. indepemlently of the line spacing of the matter printed on the other or ledger sheet. l urthermore, it is to be noted that the structure comprehends printing mechanism and separate line spacing mechanisms for ditl en ent; wot k sheets, one of which line rll if'tf thrprinting mechanism relativc to a ste l and the other of which line spaces, relative to the printing mechanism, another sheet which is carried by the platen.

It is thought that from the foregoing the structure. operation and advantages of the illustrated embodiment of my invention will be clearly understood but I reserve the right to effect. such changes, modifications or variations of the illustrated structure as may come fairly within the scope of the protection prayed.

llaving thus described my invention, what I claim is:-

l. The combination with a llat platen, of a m-ichine mounted to travel thereover, and a work holder carried by the platen. said work holder being movable with the machine as the latter is advanced for line spacing. and also movable relative to the machine.

l ke combination with a tlat platen, of a machine mounted to travel thereover, and a work holder carried by the platen and movable with the machine and also movable in the opposite direction relative to the 1nachine.

I The combination with a tlat platen and a traveling machine. of a work holder movable on the platen with the machine and having studs for the attachment of a work sheet to said holder.

4. The combination with a flat platen and a traveling machine. of a work holder carried by the platen, including work engaging studs. aid work holder being shifted longitudinally of the platen by the machine and also movable on the platen with respect to said machine.

5. The combination with a stationary flat platen and a traveling machine, of a flexible work holder having the form of a tape disposed longitudinally of the platen and provided with work engaging means and with tension means. and means for imparting a. line spacing movement to said tape.

ii. The combination with a flat platen, of a tape, a tension device for said tape and a ries of work engaging studs carried by the tape.

7. The combination with a flat platen. of a tlexible tape provided intermediate of its ends with work engaging means and an elastic member connecting the ends of the tape.

S. The combination with a flat platen. of an elastic loop provided with work engaging means.

The combination. with a flat platen,-of a flexible tape extending over the platen and under opposite edges thereofl work engaging studs carried by the tape and an elastic conneetion between the ends of the tape.

10. The combination with a Hat platen and a traveling machine. of a work holder adapt:- ed to be connected to the machine for movement. therewith and means controlling such connection.

11. The combination with a flat platen and a work holder carried thereby, of a machine movable over the platen and means carried by the machine and controlling the movement of the work holder.

12. The combination with a flat platen, of a work holder movable thereover, a machine, also movable over the platen, means connecting the work holder to the machine for movement therewith and a key controlling said connectin means.

13. The com ination with a flat platen, of a work holder, a traveling machine movable to advance the work holder and means including a key operative to determine whether the work holder shall or shall not be advanced by the machine.

14. The combination with a flat platen and a traveling machine, of a work holder carried by the platen and movable in two directions with the machine and also movable relative to said machine,

15.- The combination with a flat platen and a traveling machine, of a work holder carried by the platen and means, including a finger key, for effecting line spacing movement of the work holder relative to the platen.

16. The combination with a flat platen and a traveling machine, of a work holder carried by the platen and means including a finger key for effecting line spacing movement of the work holder relative to the machine and platen.

17. The combination with a platen and a machine, relatively movable, of a work holder, feeding means therefor, a lock for the feeding means, and means controlling the lock.

18. The combination with a flat platen and a traveling machine, of a work holder carried by the platen, and feeding means for the work holder, said feeding means being carried by the machine.

19. The combination with a flat platen and a traveling machine, of a mechanism movable to connect the work holder to the machine or to release the same, and means for feeding the work holder relative to the machine.

20. The combination with a flat platen and a work holder, of a traveling machine, means for locking the work holder to the machine for movement therewith, a releasing device for said lock, and a feeding device for the work holder, said feeding device being operative to release the lock and to move the Work holder relative to the machine.

21. The combination with a flat platen, of a work holder carried thereby, a rotary member carried by the machine and engaging the Work holder, and means for locking the rotary device to compel the work holder to move with the machine.

' 22. The combination with a platen, of a work holder movable thereover, a machine mounted to travel over the platen, a rotary member carried by the machine and engaging the work holder, a lock for said rotary member, and a release key movable to operate the lock.

23. The combination with a fiat platen and i a traveling machine, of a work holder carried by the platen, a rotary member carried by the machine and engaging the work holder, a lock for the rotary member, a feeding device operative to release the lock and to move said rotary member.

24. The combination with a flat platen and a traveling machine, of a work holder movable over the platen and a member movably mounted on the machine and engaging the work holder to advance the latter with the machine and movable to shift the work holder relative to the machine. 25. The combination with a flat platen, of a work holder movable thereover, a machine also movable over the platen; a member movably mounted on the machine and engaging the work holder, means for locking said member and means operative to first unlock the member and then move the same.

26. The combination with a flat platen and a work holder movable thereover, of a inachine also movable over the platen, a member movably mounted on the machine and engaging the work holder, :1 locking device for said member, means including a key for releasing the member and in :ans including a second key for first releasing the member and then moving the same to shift the work holder relative to the machine.

27. The combination with a machine frame and a platen, relatively movable, of a work holder movable over the platen, a member movably mounted on the frame and engaging the work holder, a locking device for said member, mechanism including two keys controlling said locking device, and means operated by one of the keys for moving the member to shift the work holder relative to the frame.

28. The combination with a flat platen and a machine mounted to travel thereover, of line spacing mechanism for the machine, a work holder, and separate line spacing mechanism for said work holder, said work holder and line spacing mechanism serving to connect the machine and work holder for movement in unison and also being operative to line space the work holder relative to the machine.

29. The combination with a flat platen and a traveling machine, of machine line spacing mechanism including a shaft, a second line spacing mechanism carried by said shaft, and a work holder carried by the platen and cooperatively related to the second line spacing mechanism.

30. The combination with a platen and a traveling machine, of a work holder carried by the platen, a rotary member carried bv-' the machine and engaging the work holder, a lock for said rotary member, a line space lever having a pawl arranged to engage and drive the rotary member and also having a device movable to release the member upon initial operation of the line space lever.

31. The combination with a llat platen and a traveling machine, of a work holder carried by the platen, a rotary member carried by the machine and engaging the work holder, a locking device for the rotary member, a line spacing lever having a driving pawl arranged to engage and drive the rotary member, means for operating thelocking device to release said member upon the initial operation of the line space lever, and means. independent of the linetspace lever, for controlling the locking device. I

32. The combination with'a flat platen, of a work holder mounted thereon and having studs, a machine mounted to,travel over the platen, a rotary member carried by the machine and having peripheral openings to re ceive the studs of the work holder, and means for rotating the rotary member to shift the work holder relative to the machine.

3-3. The combination with a fiat platen, of a work holder movable thereover and having studs, a machine also movable over the platen, a rotary member *arried by the ma chine and having a locking device for the re" tary member, means including a key for operating the locking device, and means he eluding a second he for moving the rotary member about its axis and for unlocking said member prior to the line space movement thereof and for causing the relocking of said member upon the completion of the line space movement.

34. The combination with a platen and printing mechanism relatively movable in two different (.lirections for line spacing and letter spacing respectively, of a work holder having work holding studs arranged to err gage apertures in a sheet interposed between the platen and printing mechanisms, said work holder being movable to line space the work sheet carried thereby relative to the printing mechanism and means whereby the extent of movement of the work holder may be varied with respect to the extent of the relative movement of the platen and printing mechanism in the direction of line spacing to secure a condensed record on said work sheet.

In testimony whereof I affix in presence of two witnesses.

HARE Y A. l )OTI [OR A1.

Vitnesses:

J. F. CUL-VEK \\'ELL, ARTHUR A. RKRMER.

my si nature 

